Pittsburgh Pirates: Ranking the Prospects Acquired This Offseason

Sep 5, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Miguel Yajure (89) delivers in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 5, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Miguel Yajure (89) delivers in the eighth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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Maikol Escotto

Another player the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired for Taillon was infielder Maikol Escotto. He’s also our first position player on our list. Escotto was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. He then went on to make his debut in 2019 with their Dominican Summer League affiliate where he slashed a strong .315/.429/.552 with 8 home runs and 11 doubles.

All told, Escotto had an outstanding .465 wOBA and 167 wRC+ in 218 plate appearances. Both of those led all of the Yankees’ qualified minor league players in 2019. He also displayed decent plate discipline with a 14.7% walk rate, but 26.1% strikeout rate. However, for just his age-17 season, those are still very good numbers.

Escotto mainly played second base, but also saw time at shortstop and third base. He definitely has the arm to play the left side of the infield with a 60 current/future throw grade. However he is only seen as a 40-current/50-future grade fielder. Escotto does run well with a 50-current speed grade and swiping 13 bases in 16 attempts, but as he fills out his 5’11″, 180 pound frame, he may lose a step for two in favor of more power.

Escotto does have the potential to be a good power hitter. He has a future game power grade of 55 and future raw power grade of 60. He also averaged 89 MPH off the bat already. He only has a future hit grade of 45, but if he continues to show he can hit for power while getting on base at a decent rate, then he could be one of the Pittsburgh Pirates long term corner infielders.